Erina Ikuta (生田 衣梨奈, Ikuta Erina, born 7 July 1997) is a Japanese pop singer, dancer, actress and former model. She is a ninth generation member of J-pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2011 along with Riho Sayashi, Kanon Suzuki and Mizuki Fukumura. On 26 November 2014, she became Sub-Leader of Morning Musume along with member Haruna Ikubo and later on with Ayumi Ishida. On November 30 2023, She became the new Leader of Morning Musume and Hello! Project after Mizuki Fukumura graduated from Morning Musume and Hello! Project.
Biography
History
Before Ikuta joined Hello! Project, she was a fashion model with Elegant Promotion, and had a blog where she posted photos of what she was doing and outfits she wore. Ikuta was selected from Morning Musume's ninth generation "Kyūki Audition" to join the group on 2 January 2011, with Riho Sayashi, Kanon Suzuki, and Mizuki Fukumura.[1][2] The new generation was officially revealed at the Hello! Project 2011 Winter: Kangei Shinsen Matsuri concert. She made her official debut on Morning Musume's 45th single "Maji Desu ka Ska!", released 6 April 2011.[citation needed]
In August 2011, she replaced the graduated Saki Ogawa of S/mileage on the children's morning program Oha Suta as an Oha Girl.[3] On 27 March 2012, she and Oha Girl Maple have graduated from the show.[4] On 18 April 2012, it was announced that Reina Tanaka and Morning Musume's 9th & 10th Generation members would star in a new stage play titled Stacey’s Shoujo Saisatsu Kageki, scheduled to run from 6–12 June 2012.[citation needed]